Light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation, and more particularly, to a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which a integration degree of sunlight that is irradiated on a solar cell is improved to a maximum energy efficiency. A light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to the present invention comprises a supporting member that is fixed to the ground, a rotation member that is installed rotatably about the X-axis on the supporting member, a light condensing module that is installed rotatably about the Y-axis and condenses sunlight to convert it into electrical energy, and a first and second angle adjustment device for rotating the rotation member and at least one light condensing module that is installed such that a directivity angle of at least one light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of altitude of the sun and the diurnal motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light condensing (concentrating) apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation, and more particularly, to a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which a integration degree of sunlight that is irradiated on a solar cell is improved to a maximum energy efficiency.

2. Background of the Related Art

Generally, a solar photovoltaic generation utility is referred to as an apparatus that converts light energy into electric energy using a solar cell. At this time, the solar cell includes a PN junction semiconductor that produces free electrons in irradiating sunlight and thereby inducing electricity.

In addition, a light condensing apparatus that irradiates one above another sunlight on a surface of a solar cell is used in a solar photovoltaic generation utility. At this time, a light integration degree of the light condensing apparatus is related directly to a energy efficiency of the solar photovoltaic generation utility, and it is proportion to the areas of a light condensing lens for overlapping that is installed on the lower part of a solar cell.

Meanwhile, for increasing a generation volume of a solar photovoltaic generation, a large-sized solar cell and light condensing lens is inevitable. However, with respect to a conventional light condensing lens, there is much limitation to the cost and configuration in making it in large size; therefore, there arises a problem in that it is substantially difficult to expect to improve energy efficiency through a large-sized configuration.

In addition, it is well known that the sun moves from the ease to the west and the altitude thereof is continuously changed during a movement. At this time, since a directivity angle of a conventional light condensing apparatus is fixed, an incident volume of sunlight is changed depending on a location of the sun and thereby making a capacity of solar photovoltaic generation irregular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The major object of the present invention is to provide a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation that is simply configured to maximize a sunlight integration degree.

The object of the present invention is to provide a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which a directivity angle of a light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of locations of the sun.

The object of the present invention is to provide a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which a light condensing module is to be rotated stably depending on the changes of location of the sun.

To achieve the these objects, the present invention provides a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to the present invention comprises: a supporting member that is fixed to the ground; a rotation member that is installed rotatably about the X-axis on the supporting member; at least one light condensing module that is installed rotatably about the Y-axis and condenses sunlight to convert it into electrical energy; and a first and second angle adjustment device for rotating the rotation member and at least one light condensing module that is installed such that a directivity angle of at least one light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of altitude of the sun and the diurnal motion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation member comprises a rotation frame having a first rotation axis that is installed in a X-axis direction on the supporting member, a horizontal supporting bar that is installed across the middle of the first rotation axis, and a vertical supporting bar that is installed in a vertical direction from both ends of the horizontal supporting bar and on which at least one light condensing module is installed rotatably.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation, at least one light condensing module comprises a second rotation axis that is installed in a Y-axis direction on the rotation member with the same line of the horizontal supporting bar.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one light condensing module further comprises a module frame having a lower end part on which a solar cell plate consisting of a plurality of solar cells is installed and a upper end part on which a first and second light condensing lens that is provided on both sides of a light transmitting part formed on the front part of the solar cell plate are installed, and the second rotation axis is installed on a center of mass of the module frame.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first angle adjustment device includes a power generation device that is installed on the supporting member, and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the rotation member; and the second angle adjustment device includes a power generation device that is installed on the rotation member, and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the light condensing module.

For example, the embodiments of the present invention may be varied in various forms, and it shall not be understood that it is limited to the embodiments as described below. The present embodiments are only intended to provide those skilled in the art with a full explanation thereof. Accordingly, the forms of elements in the drawings are exaggerated for clear description of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the same reference numbers will be given to the same constitutional parts.

Here, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which integration degree of light that is irradiates to a solar cell is improved to maximize energy efficiency. To achieve this object, the light condensing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that a directivity angle of a light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of locations of the sun, and the operation of a directivity angle adjustment of a light condensing module is preformed stably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a light condensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a light condensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a light condensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a rotation member that is rotated by a first angle adjustment device; and

FIG. 5 is a view showing a light condensing module that is rotated by a second angle adjustment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 are a perspective view, front view and side view, respectively, showing a light condensing apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a light condensing apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a supporting member 110, rotation member 120, two light condensing module 130, and first and second angle adjustment device 140, 150.

At this time, the supporting member 110 includes two main struts 112 that are installed on the ground and a subsidiary strut 114.

In addition, the rotation member 120 includes a rotation frame 124 that has a first axis 122 and is installed rotatably about the X-axis on the upper part of the strut 112 of the supporting member 110. The rotation frame 124 includes a horizontal supporting bar 125 that is installed across the middle of the first rotation axis 122 and a vertical supporting bar 125 that is extended upwardly from end sides of the horizontal supporting bar 125. As described above, the rotation member 120 is configured that the first rotation axis 122 is installed about the X-axis on the middle of the horizontal supporting bar 125 corresponding to a center of mass of the rotation member 120 such that a horizontal balance of installment of the rotation member 120 is maintained on the supporting member 110.

In addition, a light condensing module 130 is installed on the upper part of the rotation member 120, which is rotatably on a Y-axis. The light condensing module 130 includes a solar cell plate 132 consisting of a plurality of solar cell, a transmitting part 134 formed on the front part of the solar cell plate 132, and a first and second light condensing lens 136 that is installed on both ends of the light transmitting part 134 and is configured to condense sunlight and irradiate it to the front surface of the solar cell plate 132.

At this time, the solar cell plate 132 is installed on the lower end part 137 a of a module frame 137 such that the front surface of solar cell is exposed to upwardly. In addition, the light transmitting part 134 and the first and second light condensing lens 136 are installed on the upper end of the module frame 137. Here, the light transmitting part 134 is installed on the vertical upper part of the solar cell plate 132 and configured to have the same areas as the solar cell plate 132. Additionally, the light transmitting part 134 is formed as an empty space, a transparent glass or a light-transmitting lens such that incident sunlight is transmitted through without refraction and irradiated to the surface of solar cells.

Meanwhile, the first and second light condensing lens 135 includes a plurality of Fresno lens such that they can refract incident sunlight and irradiate it to the surface of solar cells, respectively. As a result, the sunlight, which is irradiated vertically through the light transmitting part 134 and refracted through the first and second light condensing lens 136, is incident to the surface of solar cells, and a light integration degree thereof is estimated to be 2-3 times of solar cell areas.

That is, the light transmitting part 134 and first and second light condensing lens 136 are configured such that sum of widths of them corresponds to 2-3 times width of the solar cell plate 132. Accordingly, a light integration degree of sunlight, which is incident on the light-transmitting part 134 and first and second light condensing lens 136, and irradiated to the solar cell plate 132, corresponds to 2-3 times of areas of the solar cell plate 132, thereby attaining a maximum energy efficiency thereof.

The light condensing module 130 as described above includes a second rotation axis 138 that in installed rotatably in a Y-axis direction on the vertical supporting bar 126. The second rotation axis 138 is installed running through a line corresponding to the center of the first rotation axis 124. At this time, the second rotation axis 124 is installed on both sides of the module frame 137 of the light condensing module 130 and is installed rotatably on the vertical supporting bar 126. As described above, two light condensing modules 130 are installed rotatably in a Y-axis direction on the rotation member 120, wherein they are placed symmetrically based on the first rotation axis 124; therefore, a center of mass is balanced stably since the mass is not biased toward one side.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first angle adjustment device 140 is installed such that the rotation member 120 is rotated about the X-axis depending on the changes of altitude of the sun. At this time, the first angle adjustment device 140 includes a motor 142, a driving part 141 including an elevating member 144 that is raised upwardly or descends to downwardly by the motor 142, and a control part 146 for controlling the motor 142 of the driving part 141. In addition, a bracket 118 for installment of a motor is installed on the main strut 112 and the motor 142 is installed on the bracket 118. One end of the elevating member 144 is hinged to the horizontal supporting bar 125 of the rotation member 120 and the other end thereof is connected to the motor 142.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second angle adjustment device 150 is installed such that the light condensing module 130 that is installed on the rotation member 120 is rotated depending on the diurnal motion of the sun. Here, the second angle adjustment device 150 includes a driving part 151 including an elevating member 154 that is raised upwardly or descends to downwardly by the motor 152, and a control part 156 for controlling the motor 152 of the driving part 151. At this time, the control part 156 in configured such that the changes of location of the sun depending on the diurnal motion are inputted to control automatically the motor 152. Of course, the control part 152 is configured such that the motor is driven to a real time depending on the movement of the sun using a sensor sensing the location of the sun. In addition, a bracket 126 a for installment of a motor is installed on the vertical supporting bar 126 of the rotation member 120 and the motor 152 is installed on the bracket 126 a. Here, one end of the elevating member 154 is hinged to the module frame 137 of the light condensing module 130 and the other end thereof is connected to the motor 152.

For example, the driving parts 140, 150 may be driven by a hydraulic cylinder other than a motor as described in the present embodiment.

As drawn in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light condensing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is configured such that the directivity angle of the light condensing module 130 is adjusted automatically by the first and second angle adjustment device 140, 150, and thereby maintaining a maximum state of light integration degree of solar cells.

Meanwhile, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made and several forms are taken in the light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to the present invention. However, it shall be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment as described above, and further it includes the modifications and variations of this invention provided that they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As described above, the light condensing apparatus according to the present invention is configured simply such that it improves effectively an integration degree of sunlight, and thus reduces the cost in manufacturing and improves an energy efficiency. In addition, in the light condensing apparatus according to the present invention, a directivity angle of a light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of location of the sun so that it can maintain a light integration degree as a optimum state regardless of locations of the sun, thereby increasing power generation capacity. Meanwhile, in the light condensing apparatus according to the present invention, a light condensing module is installed rotatably and symmetrically based on a first rotation axis such that it presents a center of mass without being biased to one side, thereby providing a stable rotation movement of the light condensing module. 

1. A light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation comprising: a supporting member that is fixed to the ground; a rotation member that is installed rotatably about the X-axis on the supporting member; at least one light condensing module that is installed rotatably about the Y-axis and condenses sunlight to convert it into electrical energy; and a first and second angle adjustment device for rotating the rotation member and at least one light condensing module that is installed such that a directivity angle of at least one light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of altitude of the sun and the diurnal motion.
 2. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 1, wherein the rotation member comprises a rotation frame having a first rotation axis that is installed in a X-axis direction on the supporting member and at least light condensing module comprises a second rotation axis that in installed in a Y-axis direction on the rotation frame and runs on a line corresponding to a center of the first rotation axis.
 3. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 1, wherein the rotation member comprises: a first rotation axis that is installed in a X-axis direction on the supporting member; a horizontal supporting bar that is installed across the middle of the first rotation axis; and a vertical supporting bar that is installed in a vertical direction from both ends of the horizontal supporting bar and on which at least one light condensing module is installed rotatably.
 4. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 3, wherein at least one light condensing module comprises a second rotation axis that is installed in a Y-axis direction on the rotation member with the same line of the horizontal supporting bar.
 5. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 2, wherein at least one light condensing module further comprises a module frame having a lower end part on which a solar cell plate consisting of a plurality of solar cells is installed and a upper end part on which a first and second light condensing lens that is provided on both sides of a light transmitting part formed on the front part of the solar cell plate are installed, and the second rotation axis is installed on a center of mass of the module frame.
 6. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 5, wherein the first angle adjustment device includes a power generation device that is installed on the supporting member, and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the rotation member; and the second angle adjustment device includes a power generation device that is installed on the rotation member, and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the light condensing module.
 7. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 4, wherein at least one light condensing module further comprises a module frame having a lower end part on which a solar cell plate consisting of a plurality of solar cells is installed and a upper end part on which a first and second light condensing lens that is provided on both sides of a light transmitting part formed on the front part of the solar cell plate are installed, and the second rotation axis is installed on a center of mass of the module frame.
 8. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to claim 7, wherein the first angle adjustment device includes a power generation device that is installed on the supporting member, and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the rotation member; and the second angle adjustment device includes a power generation device that is installed on the rotation member, and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the light condensing module. 